Game platform for folding chair

ABSTRACT

A game platform may have a playing surface and an opposing back surface. The game platform may be rigid or pliable. Fasteners may be used to connect the game platform to the legs of an inverted chair. The fasteners may be in the form of clamps mounted on the back surface of the game platform, or in the form of clamps applied to the playing surface of the game platform. The fasteners may be removable from the game platform.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional application claims priority under 35 USC § 119to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/376,212 filed Aug. 17, 2016, and62/384,637 filed Sep. 7, 2016, the contents of both of which areincorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This disclosure relates in general to game platforms that may be appliedto folding chairs, and more particularly to a game platform that may beapplied to an inverted folding chair.

2. Description of Related Art

Folding chairs, e.g., beach chairs, provide portable seating that can beused at the beach, sporting events, tailgating parties, and othergatherings. A conventional folding chair has a collapsible folding framethat supports a seat and a back. Compartments may also be provided tohold drinks, a phone, sunscreen, and other small items. Some foldingchairs are very low to the ground and may be reclined to variouspositions by lifting the arms to preset reclining angles. They aredesigned to be compact and light weight to make it easier to carry andtransport.

The frame of a folding chair may be in the form of tubular membersfabricated from metal, plastic, and other materials. The tubular membersmay be connected together using rotatable joints (or other mechanicallinkages) that allow some parts of the chair to move and pivot relativeto other parts. For example, the legs of the chair may pivot aboutjoints and relative to the seat. It will be appreciated that the framemembers can be solid, hollow, or of any design or shape.

The seat and the back can be fabricated from numerous and variedmaterials that are well known in this art to create a functional chairfor support and comfort of the user when the frame is unfolded.

Folding chairs have been provided with an integrated game platform. Forexample, the back of the chair may be provided with a hole that servesas a game target for a flying object, such as a bean bag or disc. Insome cases, the structure can be articulated between (1) an uprightcondition in which the back is supported at a steep angle to function asa chair, and (2) a collapsed condition in which the back is reclinedtoward the ground to function as a playing surface for playing Cornhole,for example.

A fabric game platform has also been provided as a separate piece andintended to universally fit different chairs. Here, fasteners such asbungee cords, tie strings, clips, and straps can be used to attach thegame platform to the chair. Specifically, one end of the game platformis attached to the top of the back, and the other end of the gameplatform is attached to the front of the seat.

Although conventional game platforms are generally thought to provideacceptable performance, they are not without shortcomings. For example,the integrated game platform is dedicated to a particular chair. Assuch, it cannot be applied to another chair that might have beenpreviously purchased. And the separately provided game platform attachesto the back and the seat of the chair. This causes the platform to besteeply inclined and elevated, which may present a playing surface thatdeviates from a more standardized playing surface resulting ininconsistent play and reducing the enjoyment of the experience.

SUMMARY

According to a non-limiting embodiment, a kit may include a gameplatform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface. The backsurface may support a backing that defines a plurality of receptacles.At least one fastener may be provided having a base and a pair ofelastically deflectable arms extending from the base. The base may beremoveably insertable into the receptacles.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a gaming structure for afolding chair is provided. The gaming structure may include a gameplatform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface. Thestructure may also include means for fastening the game platform todistal ends of legs of the chair.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a combination of a gamingstructure applied to a chair may be provided. The combination mayinclude an inverted chair, and a game platform having a playing surfaceand an opposing back surface. Fasteners may connect the game platform todistal ends of legs of the chair.

The above and other features, including various and novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts will be more particularlydescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will beunderstood that the details of the example embodiments are shown by wayof illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. Theprinciples and features of this invention may be employed in varied andnumerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments will become more fully understood from thedetailed description below and the accompanying drawings, wherein likeelements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given byway of illustration only and thus are not limiting of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a game platform according to a non-limitingembodiment.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a game platform with a hole for accepting beanbags, according to another non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a game platform according to anothernon-limiting embodiment. Game example; Beer Pong.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a game platform according to anothernon-limiting embodiment. Game example; Cans/Washer Toss.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional folding chair.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 5, reclinedand inverted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 5, with a gameplatform attached using fasteners.

FIG. 8 is top view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an assembly of a game platform attached to afolding chair next to a game platform.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional folding chair.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a non-limitingembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11 beingapplied to an inverted chair.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a game platform according to another,non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a non-limitingembodiment.

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this disclosure, terms relating to spatial directions (e.g.,upper, top, lower, bottom, front, forward, rear, rearward, proximal,distal, etc.) are used for convenience in describing features orportions thereof, as shown in the figures. These terms do not, however,require that the disclosed structure be maintained in any particularorientation.

This disclosure is directed to a game platform for a folding chair.Numerous and varied folding chairs are well known in this art. But theinvention is not limited to any particular type of folding chair. FIG.10 illustrates one example of a conventional folding chair that includesa seat 4, a back 5, a front leg 7, a rear leg 6, an adjustable arm 9,and a back supporting leg 8. The arm 9 can be lifted to adjust andrecline the back 5 to a horizontal position, for example. When reclined,the back supporting leg 8 may contact the ground (or other surface) andsupport the back 5. In this condition, the distal ends of the legs 6, 7,8 contact the ground.

The folding chair may serve as a base for the attachment of a gameplatform. Here, the chair may be reclined and turned upside down. Thegame platform may be attached to the tubular members (e.g., the distalends of the legs 6, 7) of an inverted folding chair for the purpose ofplaying a game, such as bean bag toss, Beer Pong, Cans/Washers, andother games to be defined.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 1-4

FIG. 1A is a side view of the game platform 12. The game platform 12 hasa playing surface 15 (the upward facing surface) and an opposed,downward facing surface 16. A plurality of fasteners 10, 11, whichextend from the surface 16, allow the game platform 12 to be mounted andretained on top of the inverted chair.

In this example embodiment, the fasteners 10, 11 are in the form ofclamps having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members of thechair. As a clamp is pressed onto a tubular member, the arms of theclamp elastically deflect apart to receive the tubular member and thenreturn toward their initial condition to retain the tubular member.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the game platform 12 with the fasteners 10,11 mounted on the game platform 12. The fasteners 10, 11 may be fixed tothe surface 16 of the game platform using any conventional means, suchas adhesives, staples, rivets, screws, nails, welds, etc.

The game platform 12 would attach to the folding chair when the foldingchair is inverted. Here, the back surface 16 would face toward theinverted chair, and the playing surface 15 would face away from thechair. The fasteners 11 would connect to the distal end of theupstanding rear leg 6 or back supporting leg 8, and the fasteners 10would connect to the distal end of the upstanding front leg 7. Theinvention is not limited to any particular number of fasteners.

In this example embodiment, the game platform 12 can be fabricated fromwood, plastic, metal, or fabric, but the invention is not limited inthis regard.

The game platform 12 may have several game variations. For example, asshown in FIGS. 2A-B, the game platform 12 may have a through hole 18that serves as a game target for a flying object, such as a bean bag forplaying Cornhole. As shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the game platform 12 may havea plurality of through holes 18. Cups (not shown) may be placed in thethrough holes 18 for receiving a flying object, such as a ball forplaying Beer Pong. As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the game platform 12 may havea playing surface 15 that supports a box 19 and a circular target 20 forreceiving a flying object, such as a washer for playing Cans/WasherToss. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the fasteners 10, 11 are fixed tothe game platform 12, and extend from the surface 16, which faces awayfrom the playing surface 15.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 5-9

FIG. 5 illustrates a folding chair in an upright position. FIG. 6illustrates the folding chair with the back reclined and inverted(turned upside down) to accept the game platform 12. In theseembodiments, the game platform 12 may be fabricated from a pliablematerial, such as fabric or vinyl for example, and the fasteners (orclamps) may be loosely and separately provided from the game platform12.

FIG. 7 illustrates the folding chair with the game platform 12 attachedto the front leg 7 and a tubular member spanning across the back of thechair. Here, the game platform 12 spans across rear leg 6. Also, theback supporting leg 8 is adjusted downward to lie flat against the backof the chair. FIG. 8 is a top view of the folding chair with the gameplatform 12 attached to the front leg 7 and the tubular member spanningacross the back of the chair.

As shown in FIG. 9, the game platform 12 may be attached to the frontleg 7 and the back supporting leg 8. Here, the back supporting leg 8 isadjusted to an upright position. The game platform 12 is shown besidethe beach chair as an example.

The clamps 10, 11 depicted in FIGS. 7-9 may be loosely (and separately)provided from the game platform 12. Here, the game platform 12 would bepositioned around the tubular member, and then the clamp 10, 11 would beapplied over the game platform 12, such that the game platform 12 iscaptured between the clamp and the tubular member (as shown in FIGS.7-9). By way of example only, the clamps may be c-shaped in crosssection, but the invention is not limited in this regard. The clamps maybe fabricated from plastic, or numerous and varied alternative materialsthat are well known in this art.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 11-15

A non-limiting embodiment may implement a more rigid game platform 12(similar to the ones depicted in FIGS. 1-4) in combination withseparately provided fasteners (similar to the ones depicted in FIGS.7-9).

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the game platform 12 has a playingsurface 15 and a back surface 16. The back surface 16 is provided with abacking 25 in the form of partitions that define receptacles 26. Thereceptacles 26 are shaped and sized to receive and retain fasteners 30.FIG. 12 illustrates four fasteners 30, but the invention is not limitedto any particular number of fasteners. Furthermore, it will beappreciated that each fastener 30 may be removed from one receptacle 26and reinserted into another receptacle. In this way, the fasteners 30may be located on the back surface 16 of the game platform 12 touniversally fit different chairs.

Turning to FIG. 13, the fastener 30 may include a base 32 that supportsa clamp 35 having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members ofthe chair. The base 32 has a shape corresponding to the shape of thereceptacles 26. The base 32 may support one or more tabs 33 that canrespectively cooperate with one or more recesses in a wall of thereceptacle 26, such that that fastener 30 can be appropriately retainedon the game platform 12. But the invention is not limited in thisregard. It will be readily appreciated that numerous and variedmechanisms may be suitably implemented to serve such a retentionfunction, including hook and loop fasteners, clips, snaps, and/or pins,for example. Furthermore, the walls of the base 32 may interact with thewalls of the receptacle 26 to provide an interference fit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 26 and the base 32 have asquare shape, but the invention is not limited in this regard as anycorresponding shapes may be suitably implemented. Furthermore, thereceptacle and base may have different shapes so long as the fastenercan be retained on the back of the game platform 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates 4 fasteners 30 inserted into correspondingreceptacles on the back of the game platform 12. In the condition shown,the fasteners 30 are aligned with the distal ends of upstanding legs 6,7, 8 of an inverted chair. The application of downward pressure to thegame platform 12 will cause the arms of the fasteners 30 to elasticallydeflect apart to receive the legs (or tubular members). Once the legsare received, the arms return toward their initial condition to retainthe legs.

As shown in FIG. 15, the game platform 12 may be divided along its widthto facilitate storage and transport. Here, one section of the gameplatform 12 may be provided with tabs 40, and the other section may beprovided with slots 42. The tabs 40 may be inserted into correspondingslots 42 to assemble the game platform 12. In alternative embodiments,the two sections of the game platform 12 may be hinge coupled together,instead of employing tabs and slots.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 16-18

As shown in FIG. 16, the back surface 16 of game platform 12 may beprovided with a backing 25 in the form of partitions that definereceptacles 26. The receptacles 26 are shaped and sized to receive andretain fasteners 30. In this embodiment, the receptacle 26 and thefastener 30 (i.e., the base 32) have a hexagonal shape, but theinvention is not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the base 32 of the fastener 30 supports aclamp 35 having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members ofthe chair. As in the previous embodiments, the arms may elasticallydeflect apart to receive the legs (or tubular members) of the chair.Once the legs are received, the arms return toward their initialcondition to retain the legs.

The base 32 may also support one or more arms 50. One end of the arm 50is provided with a tab 53 that can respectively cooperate with one ormore recesses in a wall of the receptacle 26, such that that fastener 30can be appropriately retained on the game platform 12. The other end ofthe arm 50 is provided with a finger grip 52.

To attach the fastener 30 to the game platform 12, the base 32 isaligned with and inserted into a receptacle 26. During insertion, a wallof the receptacle 26 enters into the space between the tab 53 and thebase 32 (see arrow a), and elastically deflects the tab 53 outward andaway from the base 32. Upon further insertion of the base 32, the tab 53will become aligned with a recess in the wall of the receptacle 26, suchthat the tab 53 can elastically return back toward the base 32 to itsinitial condition, thereby locking the base 32 in the receptacle 26.

To remove the fastener 30, the finger grip 52 is pressed inward andtoward the clamp 35 to rotate the arm 50, such that tab 53 moves awayfrom the base 32 and out of the recess in the receptacle wall. Thefastener 30 can then be withdrawn from the receptacle 26. It will beappreciated that the rotation of the arm 50 is facilitated by theelastic deformation of the material interconnecting the arm 50 and thebase 32.

Although the foregoing description is directed to preferred embodimentsof the present teachings, it is noted that other variations andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and whichmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentteachings. For example, the invention is not limited to fasteners in theform of clamps. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerousand varied securing mechanisms may be suitably implemented, includinghook and loop fasteners, clips, snaps, and/or pins, which are well knownin this art. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that game platforms maybe designed to have several game variations in addition to thosementioned herein.

The foregoing detailed description of the various embodiments of thepresent teachings has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presentteachings to the precise embodiments disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principlesof the present teachings and their practical application, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the present teachingsfor various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of thepresent teachings be defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit comprising: a game platform having aplaying surface and an opposing back surface, the back surfacesupporting a backing that defines a plurality of receptacles; and atleast one fastener having a base and a pair of elastically deflectablearms extending from the base; wherein the base is removeably insertableinto the receptacles.
 2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the gameplatform is provided with one or more through holes.
 3. The kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the game platform is fabricated from wood,plastic, metal, or a combination thereof.
 4. The kit according to claim1, wherein the fastener is fabricated from plastic.
 5. The kit accordingto claim 1, wherein the receptacles have a square shape.
 6. The kitaccording to claim 1, wherein the base of the fastener has a squareshape.
 7. A gaming structure for a folding chair, the gaming structurecomprising: a game platform having a playing surface and an opposingback surface; and means for fastening the game platform to distal endsof legs of the chair.
 8. The gaming structure according to claim 7,wherein the means for fastening is positioned on the back surface of thegame platform.
 9. The gaming structure according to claim 8, wherein themeans for fastening includes clamps that are removeably mounted on theback surface of the game platform.
 10. The gaming structure according toclaim 7, wherein the means for fastening includes clamps applied to theplaying surface of the game platform.
 11. A combination of a gamingstructure applied to a chair, the combination comprising: an invertedchair; a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing backsurface; and fasteners connecting the game platform to distal ends oflegs of the chair.
 12. The combination according to claim 11, whereinthe fasteners are clamps mounted on the back surface of the gameplatform.
 13. The combination according to claim 11, wherein thefasteners are clamps; and wherein the game platform is compressedbetween the clamps and the distal ends of the legs of the chair.